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Blog :: 12-2016

Once you have interviewed various contractors, there are some things you should discuss before the work starts. First, I prefer to get a contractor from a personal reference. If you go to Home Advisor or anyone's 'list,' talk to real people that have used them and find out what worked well and, what didn't work out so well. As part of the contract process with your contractor, get their insurance papers and license information. In Connecticut, contractors are licensed.

Now, set some ground rules:

What days and hours will the work take place? Will they be working nights and weekends? How will the noise impact your life and those of your neighbors?

How will the refuse be handled? Will there be dumpsters? How many, how big and for how long? How will this impact parking around the property?

How will trash and recycling pick-up be impacted?

Security - How will the contractor and their team get into the house? Who gets a key, or will someone let them into the property? Can you assign a temporary code if you have an alarm system to the work people? Get contact information, phone numbers and emails, for the contractor and employees that are the in charge of the various parts of the work.

How will you get project information? How often will you get updates, who will update you and how? Do you want a daily email? How about a phone call twice a week on Tuesday/Thursday at 7PM? Make sure everyone knows the frequency and method of communications. Be specific as to who gets the info? Should all messages be to one person or more than one at a time? When are telephone calls or emails okay, versus when do you want face-to-face communications? All of this should be worked out before any work starts.

Let your neighbors know there is work going on. It is good to give your neighbors a heads up to the work and the estimated length of the work as their lives may be impacted. A bottle of wine couldn't hurt.

Before any work starts, make sure your contractor knows the locations of all of the utility controls and meters.

Other vendors impacted. If you have landscapers, house cleaners, or other folks coming to the house regularly, make sure your contractor and the vendors are aware of the work.

Pets? Talk to your contractors about how the pet will be handled during the work. You may have to confine them or remove them for a short period depending on the type of work. Noise can be stressful for some pets, there may be work or chemicals that are dangerous to the pets as well. Work it out beforehand so you can make plans for yourselves and the pet(s).

I trust you found this useful. Let me know of any hair-raising adventures you have had during construction in your home. Of course, contact me with all of your real estate needs.

Local Buzz - New Year's Eve in CT!

Who said Connecticut is a sleepy little bedroom community? It's time to get crazy on New Year's Eve. Looking for something to do? Check out 24 Things to do in CT. From concerts, to dance parties, to food and bar hopping, all across the state. Enjoy and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Listings

Premiere, Downtown Living. MLS 99166941, $385,000. Large two bedroom, two bath in one of Stamford's most premier condominiums. The great experience starts when you walk into the elegant lobby with the 24 hour doorman.The apartment opens into a large living room with sliders to the balcony. The eat-in kitchen with top of the line cabinets and access to the large dining room. The open floor plan let's light shine through the whole living room/kitchen areas. Master bedroom has a full bath. Together with the second large bedroom & full bath, you have the perfect in-town living space. Washer/dryer in the unit. The community room with full kitchen is the perfect spot for entertaining or just playing cards. Not to be outdone, the pool and gym complete the picture of wonderful downtown living. For more photos and information check out our website. Also for rent!

Comments

I believe it was Rosanne Rosannadanna (a.k.a. the wonderful Gilda Radner) who said, "it just goes to show you, it's always something! If it's not one thing, it's another!" That is true in all aspects of life, but none so true as real estate. No matter how pristine a home or apartment, there is always something.

As a consumer, you know that e`veryone has that 'thing' that bothers them or they love. For example: one client only wanted a bathroom with glass doors, no shower curtains, and a southern exposure. Sometimes the apartment is on too high a floor, or perhaps too low a floor. The home is not new enough, or has been updated, but not to their tastes. The driveway is too long or too steep. The doorways are too narrow or too wide. The kitchen only has one dishwasher, or why do I need two dishwashers? I had a mother of young woman ask me why anyone in the world would want a master bedroom on the main level. Meanwhile this is a major selling point for many people. Why are there so many trees so close to the house? The key here -- Good Realtors take the time to understand what any particular client's requirements are.

If you have ever tried to buy or sell property, then you know that there are a million things that can take a great deal and drive it to the ground at any time. Two weeks before closing, the sewer assessment shows up. Both the buyer and seller are totally unaware that an assessment was coming. The radon is high and the seller won't budge on price or put in a radon system. There are bats in the attic.

Sometimes,the seller decides they can't leave, they pull the listing. The buyer decides not to buy or rent in town, they are moving elsewhere. Transfers come and go. In Stamford condominiums, the buyer gets the HOA papers after the contracts are signed, and the buyer has time to review and cancel based on the HOA papers. So, some mortgages require the HOA have a certain level of monies set aside for emergencies or capital improvements. If they don't, no mortgage, no deal. Ask any Realtor® and they will have stories that will give you nightmares. Many of them, you just can't make up. You may have many of these tales to tell yourself.

What do you do when faced with an unexpected issue? First, consider all of the options. I believe the last option is to call off a deal. Think about various choices, think out of the box. Sometimes what may seem crazy is doable. Be aware that this can be a repetitive process, as there may be more than one issue cropping up. Sometimes it works, sometimes the opportunity evaporates. When that happens, file it away and move on to your next opportunity.

I know that I am not the only one that has stories to tell, so take a minute and tell me yours. And of course, contact me with any of your real estate needs.

The Local Buzz - Time for the Nutcracker

Are you ready for Sugar Plum Fairies to dance or to see the world shrink around you so that you are the same size as the mice? Then head on over to the Stamford Palace for the incomparable Nutcracker Suite. It is a great performance with ballet stars from the American Ballet Theater and the New York City Ballet. Click here for more information on performances and tickets.

Listings

Premiere, Downtown Living. MLS 99166941, $385,000. Large two bedroom, two bath in one of Stamford's most premier condominiums. The great experience starts when you walk into the elegant lobby with the 24 hour doorman.The apartment opens into a large living room with sliders to the balcony. The eat-in kitchen with top of the line cabinets and access to the large dining room. The open floor plan let's light shine through the whole living room/kitchen areas. Master bedroom has a full bath. Together with the second large bedroom & full bath, you have the perfect in-town living space. Washer/dryer in the unit. The community room with full kitchen is the perfect spot for entertaining or just playing cards. Not to be outdone, the pool and gym complete the picture of wonderful downtown living. For more photos and information check out our website. Also for rent!